The costs of a research degree
As a research student at Macquarie University, you will need to understand the costs involved with your degree and the fee payment process.
Research degree fees vary depending on whether you are a domestic or international student and whether your degree is coursework-based or thesis-based.
Domestic students
You are a domestic research degree student if you are enrolled in a research degree and are one of the following:
- an Australian citizen or permanent resident
- a New Zealand citizen
- an Australian humanitarian visa holder.
When working out the cost of your tuition, you will need to take into account:
- course type and unit cost
- offer type
- student services and amenities fees, textbooks etc.
Domestic students enrolled in either the Master of Research (MRes), Master of Philosophy (MPhil) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program are funded by the Government under the Research Training Program (RTP).
Students are entitled to a maximum of three years’ full-time equivalent study if undertaking a PhD, and a maximum of two years’ full-time equivalent study if undertaking a MPhil or MRes.
Students with incomplete research degrees will have their prior candidature period deducted from their full RTP entitlement when they enrol.
International students
If you are studying with us on an international student visa, you are considered an international student and must pay international fees.
Fee amounts for our graduate research degrees are available below.
- The approximate annual cost is based on a full-time study load completed over two enrolment periods.
- You will be required to pay the commencement fee when you accept your offer. This fee will be taken off your first session tuition fees (i.e. it is not in addition to your tuition fees).
- Refunds of any fees paid will be in line with the Graduate Research International Fee Refund Policy.
Degree name | CRICOS number | 2025 approximate annual cost | 2025 commencement fee |
|---|---|---|---|
Doctor of Philosophy | 001403F | $40,600 | $20,300 |
Master of Philosophy | 056667E | $40,600 | $20,300 |
Master of Research | 115562K | $37,100 | $18,500 |
| Graduate Diploma of Research in Arts | 115563J | $29500 | $14,750 |
Degree name | CRICOS number | 2025 approximate annual cost | 2025 commencement fee |
|---|---|---|---|
PhD in Health Innovation | 085032M | $51,900 | $25,950 |
PhD in Biomedical Sciences | 085032M | $51,900 | $25,950 |
PhD in Clinical Medicine | 085032M | $51,900 | $25,950 |
PhD in Health System and Population | 085032M | $51,900 | $25,950 |
PhD in Cognitive Science | 064239C | $51,900 | $25,950 |
PhD in Medicine | 085032M | $51,900 | $25,950 |
PhD in Health Sciences | 085032M | $51,900 | $25,950 |
PhD in Psychological Sciences | 064239C | $51,900 | $25,950 |
PhD in Linguistics | 070063E | $46,300 | $23,150 |
PhD in Psychology | 064239C | $51,900 | $25,950 |
PhD/Master of Clinical Neuropsychology | 027361G | $51,900 | $25,950 |
PhD/Master of Clinical Psychology | 027361G | $51,900 | $25,950 |
PhD/Master of Organisational Psychology | 027361G | $51,900 | $25,950 |
MPhil in Health Innovation | 085031A | $51,900 | $25,950 |
MPhil in Biomedical Sciences | 085031A | $51,900 | $25,950 |
MPhil in Clinical Medicine | 085031A | $51,900 | $25,950 |
MPhil in Health System and Population | 085031A | $51,900 | $25,950 |
MPhil in Health Professions | 085031A | $51,900 | $25,950 |
MPhil in Cognitive Science | 064241J | $51,900 | $25,950 |
MPhil in Psychology | 064241J | $51,900 | $25,950 |
MPhil in Medicine | 085031A | $51,900 | $25,950 |
MPhil in Health Sciences | 085031A | $51,900 | $25,950 |
MPhil in Psychological Sciences | 064241J | $51,900 | $25,950 |
MPhil in Linguistics | 070064D | $46,300 | $23,150 |
Master of Research | 115569C | $47,600 | $23,800 |
Master of Public Health (Research specialisation) | 092682G | $39,800 | $19,900 |
| Graduate Diploma of Research in Medicine, Health and Human Sciences | 115570K | $32,500 | $16,250 |
| Graduate Certificate of Research in Medicine, Health and Human Sciences | 115573G | $16,300 | $8,150 |
Degree name | CRICOS number | 2025 approximate annual cost | 2025 commencement fee |
|---|---|---|---|
Doctor of Philosophy | 001404E | $51,900 | $25,950 |
Master of Philosophy | 056670K | $51,900 | $25,950 |
Master of Research | 115574F | $47,600 | $23,800 |
| Graduate Diploma of Research in Science and Engineering | 115578B | $29,500 | $14,750 |
Degree name | CRICOS number | 2025 approximate annual cost | 2025 commencement fee |
|---|---|---|---|
Doctor of Philosophy | 021502D | $37,900 | $18,950 |
Master of Philosophy | 056664G | $37,900 | $18,950 |
Master of Research | 115564H | $34,500 | $17,250 |
| Graduate Diploma of Research in Business | 115565G | $29,500 | $14,750 |
| Graduate Certificate of Research in Business | 115566F | $14,800 | $7,400 |
International Out of Time (iOOT) fee
Students who apply for and are approved for an extension of Expected Work Submission (EWS) date in accordance with the HDR Variations to Candidature Policy will be charged a flat rate of AUD $2000 for a three-month extension (iOOT fee).
Students will be expected to apply for an extension of EWS date before the expiry of their candidature. If you do not pay your iOOT fee by the payment due date, late payment penalties may also apply.
Further information about the iOOT fees for the Master of Research (MRes), Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) are available below.
- Students will not be liable for full tuition fees for more than one year (full time equivalent) of the MRes program.
- Students may apply for up to two extensions of EWS date for three months at a time - a cumulative maximum of 0.5 EFSTL.
- The first extension of candidature for MRes for three months up to the end of January (for Session 1) or end of July (Session 2) will not incur a charge of full tuition fees or a write up fee.
- $2000 iOOT fee will apply for the second approved application for extension of EWS date.
- When a student has an approved extension, marks are not deducted should they submit on or before their new EWS date.
- Students will not be charged full tuition fees for the period beyond their standard period of candidature. The standard period of candidature is defined in the Graduate Research Rules.
- Students may apply for up to four extensions of EWS date for three months at a time - a cumulative maximum of 1 EFTSL.
- $2000 iOOT fee will apply for each approved application for extension of candidature.
Can I apply for six months’ extension?
PhD and MPhil can apply for a six-month extension in accordance with the HDR Variations to Candidature Policy, however you will be charged for two three-month periods (2 × iOOT = $4000).
I have a scholarship, will it cover my iOOT?
Scholarships for international students funded by Macquarie University do not cover the iOOT fee. If you have an externally funded scholarship you will need to check with your provider or sponsor.
I don’t need three months; can I apply for less than a three-month extension and pay a lesser fee?
No, if you apply for an extension of EWS date you will be granted three months, for a flat rate of $2000. This is not pro-rata.
Can I submit before the end of my approved extension period?
Yes, you can submit before the end of your approved extension. If you submit your thesis within one month of your original EWS date after applying for a three month extension, the fee will be reversed and you will not have to pay.
When is the fee due?
The fee due date will be displayed in your eStudent account. It will be due one month from your original EWS date.
I haven’t submitted an extension of EWS date, will I be charged the fee?
You will only be charged the iOOT fee of $2000 when you apply for an extension of EWS date. If you do not submit your thesis and you have not obtained an EWS date extension your candidature may be ceased in accordance with the HDR Variations to candidature policy.
I withdrew from my program without applying for an extension and now I want to re-enrol to submit my thesis, will I be charged?
If you withdrew on or after your original course EWS date, yes, when you apply to re-enrol to submit your thesis you will be charged the iOOT $2000 fee and be given three months in which to finalise and submit your thesis. If you submit in the first month the fee will be reversed, and you will not have to pay.
I am a cotutelle student, will I have to pay?
Yes, cotutelle and joint PhD students who apply for an extension will be subject to the $2000 iOOT fee on application for a three-month extension of EWS date.
Will the fee apply when I am completing my thesis corrections?
No, if you are completing thesis corrections following an examination outcome of Award with Corrections you will not be charged tuition fees and you will not be required to pay the iOOT fee.
I have been asked to revise and resubmit my thesis, what fees will I have to pay?
You will not be required to pay full tuition fees for the period of enrolment for revision and resubmission of the thesis. However, you will be charged the iOOT fee for each three months of enrolment (4 × iOOT = $8000).
Ways to save on your tuition fees
Domestic and international students can save time and money if eligible for a scholarship or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). There is also financial help for domestic students and some support is available to international students.